Sustainable development of uranium mining: the new challenge, prerequisites and conditions

In 2008 primary uranium production totaled 43.5 thou tU (about 60% of NPP uranium requirements) while another 40% of the needs was covered by stockpiles of uranium-containing products and secondary sources (tails reprocessing, MOX fuel, regenerated uranium from spent nuclear fuel). Natural uranium is expected to play an ever-increasing role in the near future as stockpiles will be depleted. According to various forecasts uranium production is poised to grow to 120 thou tU in 2030. Uranium mining in 2008 has proven that a few companies were able to materialize their short-term production plans. Investments in uranium exploration have been decreasing steadily. Numerous junior mining companies who used to contribute significantly to the global uranium resources and production are forced to suspend or abandon their projects due to the financial crunch. The other factors affecting negatively the uranium mining are decreasing uranium prices and uncertainties in the future; technical and technological difficulties